Most students in 9th and 10th grade usually only think about their future careers based on what they wanted to be as a child, like a pilot, teacher, or doctor. However, very few actually give serious consideration to their career choice. As the 9th grade ends and 10th grade begins, the question of career choice starts to become more important. Parents, family, teachers, and sometimes even friends start talking about the importance of choosing a career path after 10th grade and that it's time to start deciding.
If you haven't started thinking about what career or subjects to choose for the next two years or even for the rest of your life, it's okay. Choosing a stream might seem overwhelming, but it's not that hard if you research and think about your options carefully.
The best approach is to take it step by step. Start with the basics. Let's understand what stream choice means and what options are available in class 11 CBSE, including the subjects offered in each stream.
What are the Streams in Class 11th?
CBSE provides three options of streams that will decide the subjects you will study in your 11th and 12th grade, and the career opportunities you can have in the future.
The three streams available in CBSE class 11 are:
1. Science
2. Commerce
3. Arts/Humanities
Let's understand each of these streams in more detail.
1. Science: The Study of the Physical and Natural World
Most of you would already have a fair idea about the Science stream, not just because science subjects are taught until at least class 10, but also because people often talk about it. You may have heard statements like, "Choose Science stream to become an Engineer or Doctor" or "Since you are good at academics, you should choose Science, right?" However, these notions are not always accurate, but you probably have some understanding of what the Science stream involves.
The Science stream involves the study of the physical and natural world through pure sciences and their practical applications. You will learn about the laws of gravitation that govern planetary motion and the structure of the atom, and discover many mysteries of the world around us. To be successful in this stream, you need to have innate curiosity, eagerness to explore, and the ability to think logically.
What are the subjects in Science in class 11?
The Science stream has two sub-branches, which are determined by the third subject you study. They are:
• Medical stream - Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English, and an Optional Subject.
• Non-Medical stream - Physics, Chemistry, Maths, English, and an Optional Subject.
Both branches have Physics and Chemistry as common subjects, and the main difference is whether you choose Maths (PCM) or Biology (PCB). Some students also choose a combination of both, PCMB, by studying Maths instead of the optional subject. However, this combination has its own advantages and disadvantages, and you should make a decision after considering all factors.
While the first four subjects are compulsory for all students in Science stream, CBSE gives you a choice for the fifth subject, also known as an optional subject. The board offers several options, but the most commonly chosen optional subjects with Science are:
• Medical stream - Psychology, Biotechnology, Mathematics, Economics, Home Science, Fine Arts, Physical Education.
• Non-Medical stream - Computer Science, Economics, Physical Education, Engineering Drawing, Fine Arts, Psychology.
Which career options do you have with the Science Stream?
The subject called "medical" may sound like it's only for students who want to become doctors after finishing high school, but that's not true. There are many other career options available in this field. You can study other subjects related to biology and life sciences, such as Zoology, Botany, Microbiology, or Biochemistry. Or, you can study allied fields like Nutrition, Pharmacology, Psychology, or Biotechnology. If you're interested in medicine but don't want to become a doctor, you can explore other branches of medicine such as Dentistry, Ayurveda, or Homeopathy. Alternatively, you can study allied medicine fields such as Physiotherapy, Clinical Research, or Audiology. So, there are many options available for you to consider.
Some people think that if you study Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in high school, you should go into Engineering as a career. However, that's not the only option available to you. There are many other fields that you can pursue, such as Architecture, Aviation, Statistics, Defense, Design, Ethical Hacking, Merchant Navy, Computer Applications, Physics, Chemistry, and many more. So, there are many exciting career options available to non-medical students, and you don't have to choose Engineering just because you studied PCM.
2. Commerce: The Study of Trade and Business
There are many myths associated with the Commerce stream. Some people think that it's only for average students who can't get into Science, or that it's only suitable for students from business families. However, these are not true. Commerce is all about studying business, trade, and finance. Commerce students learn about how goods and services are exchanged, how businesses work, how financial transactions happen, and how the economy works. These are all essential things to know in our day-to-day lives, which makes Commerce a valuable field to study. There are many career options available in Commerce too.
While you may or may not need to study Mathematics as part of Commerce, numbers are very important in this field. You need to have a good understanding of calculations, fundamental math concepts, and be able to work with large amounts of data to be successful in Commerce.
What are the subjects in Commerce in class 11?
Commerce is a stream that students generally have the least idea about since its three main subjects are new to most students.
The following are the subjects you are required to study: Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, English, Mathematics (or optional subject)
Accountancy as subject covers concepts related to the managing of the income and finances of a business or an individual. You study topics like transactions, expenditure, cash books, memos, trial balance, trading, profit, etc. and learn how to make a balance sheet.
On the other hand, as part of Business Studies, you study about the types of businesses and organizations, differences between private and public sector companies, models of business, business finance, international trade, etc. For Economics, you study about Indian economic development, statistical tools, demand and supply, government budget and economy, etc.
For the fifth subject, the board gives a choice between Mathematics and other elective subjects. Thus, if you are not very comfortable with maths, you can choose not to study it.
The optional subjects available with the Commerce stream are:
Informatics Practices, Physical Education, Computer Science, Multimedia and Web Technology, Entrepreneurship, Legal Studies, Psychology and Fine Arts
Which career options do you have with the Commerce Stream?
The Commerce stream is a great option for students interested in careers related to accounting, banking, finance, and related fields. With a talent for numbers and data analysis, you can create a successful and financially rewarding career. After finishing 12th, Commerce students can explore various career options, such as Chartered Accountancy (CA), Company Secretary (CS), Actuarial Science, Management, Economics, Bank PO, Investment Banking, Stockbroking, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Law, Hotel Management, and many others. By pursuing these careers, students can enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding professional life while also making a positive impact on society.
3. Humanities: The Study of Human Society and the World
Humanities is a fascinating and diverse field that covers topics related to human society, relationships, culture, and systems. In the past, humanities were often disregarded and misunderstood, but in the 21st century, things are changing rapidly. Nowadays, humanities are not considered a stream for academically weak students anymore, and more and more students are opting for it because of the wide range of subject and career options it provides. By studying humanities, you can gain a deeper understanding of how the world and society around us work, and how human society, laws, and norms have evolved over time. From the study of how people interact in group settings to the study of the legal rights of citizens, everything comes under the purview of humanities. Students who are curious and interested in learning about world affairs, social issues, historical events, and society are an ideal fit to explore humanities as their stream in class 11th and 12th. Pursuing humanities can lead to a fulfilling and impactful career in fields such as journalism, law, social work, public administration, and more.
What are the subjects in Arts/Humanities in class 11?
Humanities is a stream that provides a wide range of subject options for students looking to explore the study of human society, relationships, culture, and systems. This stream offers more flexibility compared to science and commerce in terms of subject selection. Students can choose from various main subjects, including History, Political Science, Economics, Geography, Sociology, and Psychology. Some schools also offer the option of combining these subjects in any way they like. Optional subjects for humanities include Maths, Home Science, Legal Studies, Fine Arts, Physical Education, and Media Studies. Combining Humanities with Mathematics is gaining popularity among students, as it opens up various career options in fields such as Economics, Business, and Finance.
Which career options do you have with the Arts/Humanities Stream?
The humanities stream is often misunderstood and believed to have limited career options available after 12th. However, this is far from the truth. There are numerous career options available to humanities students that can lead to highly lucrative and sought-after professions. Students can explore diverse fields such as Design, Law, Psychology, Economics, Management, History, Archaeology, International Relations, Hotel Management, Event Management, Mass Communication, Journalism, Civil Services, Social Work, Sociology, Photography, Fashion Communication, and Content Writing.
In addition, new fields are emerging in the humanities domain, offering exciting career opportunities that did not exist a few decades ago. These include fields such as Gerontology, Public Policy, Habitat Policy and Practice, Gender Studies, Rural Studies and Development, Museology, and Art Restoration. Humanities students can leverage their knowledge and skills to make meaningful contributions to society while pursuing fulfilling careers.
How to Choose Your Stream After Class 10th
If you're wondering how to choose between different streams, here's some advice. To start with, try to learn as much as you can about each stream. Use the information provided earlier as a starting point, but also read the course structure and look at the books for each subject to get a better understanding of what you will study.
Remember that there will be a significant difference between what you've studied up to class 10th and what you'll study in the next two years. So it's crucial to know what lies ahead, especially for subjects that you haven't studied before, like Accounts.
You can also talk to people like your seniors or elder siblings who have already been through this process to get an idea of what each stream entails. Many schools also allow you to attend a few classes for each subject before making your final decision.
If you're still unsure about which stream and subject combinations are best for you, don't hesitate to seek the help of career counsellors. They can guide you in making the right choice for your future.
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